little bitty girl

Dearest Stefan,

9 years dude! I don't really know whether to high five you or cry. Celebrating these anniversaries are also reminders of how old we're getting....

I thought I would share the story of our first date, since that is what AFD (Anniversary of First Date) Day is based on. You know how it is when you start dating as an adult, the two parties can never decide when the seriousness actually started. Hence, AFD Day.

It's really a cautionary tale on how not to have a first date.

We had met about 4 years earlier when I was 18, and was completely uninterested and apathetic towards you. Yes, I know you like to tell the world it's because you were dating and I was jealous I couldn't have you.

Err no. I don't generally like blonde men and I think you had your funny white-fro hair back then.

Fast forward.

We set up for a first date. I was working at a restaurant then. You were to pick me up at my work after my lunch shift.

You were late. By half an hour. And I was NOT impressed.

We then went to have a couple of drinks on Queen West and ended up at the Swan. Now, I had only made about $80 in tips that day, it had been a very slow shift and I had to save money to take a cab ride home (about $40). I was mentally calculating how much I could spend because I wasn't going to assume you were going to pay for the date.

You asked me to order wine, I ordered the second cheapest. Unfortunately the bartender at the time also knew me and declared,"You hate that wine" and so you picked the second most expensive wine and that blew my dinner budget. So I ordered a salad. Even though I was ravenous.

You had an appetizer, the pork special and dessert. You probably thought I was one of those girls who dieted all the time. (We now know how wrong that assumption is).

You then proceeded to talk about your mother and your ex-girlfriend for about half of our date. Two topics one should never bring up on a first date. AND to add injury to insult, you ended up paying for the dinner.

I am actually more bitter about not getting a good meal than about the other part. I just like to throw those other two things in to bug you.

I don't really know how we've made it to 9 years actually. I don't even know how we even had a second date considering our first date. But I really hope we make it for another 9 and more.

Because at the end, I don't really care how old I am getting. As long as it's with you.

Love,

Karen